# NTSB LAX92LA216: Questair Venture, N3VD, Ely, NV, May 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1992, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Ely, NV
- Location: 39.2649° N, 114.8708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ely, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2649&lon=-114.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA216

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE TRANSDUCER BY THE PILOT/OWNER THAT RESULTED IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE TRANSDUCER MOUNTING FITTING IN THE ENGINE OIL SYSTEM. THE SOFT LANDING SURFACE AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN WHICH THE AIRPLANE LANDED WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - single engine aircraft (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly - seized (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER ASSEMBLING THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT THE CO-OWNER/PILOT INSTALLED AN ALUMINUM FITTING BETWEEN THE ENGINE CASE AND A HEAVY TRANSDUCER. THE FITTING THAT ATTACHED THE TRANSDUCER TO THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER 31 HOURS OF OPERATIONS WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON A SOFT SURFACE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT EARTH DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FITTING DISCLOSED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE. THE HEAVY TRANSDUCER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WITH FLEXIBLE OIL LINES THAT WOULD ENDURED THE VIBRATIONS THAT ARE INHERENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECIPROCATING ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3VD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3VD-1998-05-27), registration cancelled 1998-05-27, S/N 46 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: QUESTAIR VENTURE
- Registry model: [Lewis D G / Marquis B A QUESTAIR VENTURE](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-d-g-marquis-b-a-questair-venture) (registry code 05618MG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 446
- Airframe hours: 31
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550G1B 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: D. G. Lewis
- Registered owner: D. G. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: H10, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: SGU, ST GEORGE, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total, 41 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: ELY, 45 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920523016049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920523016049A), May 23, 1992: Amtrjg QUESTAIR20, Ely, NV, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine seized. Cartwheeled landing. Vibration broke aluminum transducer brace installed by owner

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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